Doug,
With weighted voting, it is difficult to say. There were four delegates challenged. 1 withdrew, 3 affirmed their intent to support the GOP nominees in the general. They did so in writing, and were willing to do so verbally in an open meeting. There wasn’t any further challenge, so they were seated as delegates. I am glad there wasn’t a floor fight. I’ve been to conventions where these have happened. They really cause much ill-will amongst the delegates. This is why I favor registration by party. We could hold a convention that allows registered “R” and “I” voters, while excluding those publically declared “D” voters.

I was disappointed in the speech Mayor Parish gave. I found it lack contact and was far too negative. The Mayor had an opportunity to tell the voters what he has accomplished, what plans he has for the city and where he stands on the issues. I expected more than pot shots from our Mayor.

It wasn’t the best speech, in fact Andy gave a much better speech, but Hal gave the most effective speech. It was negative, no question about it, i.e., a side of Hal Parrish most people haven’t seen, I don’t begrudge him the right to go there, but it raises some interesting questions which I would like to raise in a later post.

In the end for many in the crowd who like both politicians it may simply have come down to a vote for Andy throws Hal out into the street, a vote for Hal, leaves both men in office.

Yes, the Mayor raised a couple of valid comments and I will give him credit for showing some spine (I didn’t realize he had it in him).

The effectiveness of Hal’s speech could be argued. I had no idea who I was going to vote for this morning, the “Parrish” name means little to me and I am not a long time Manssas resident. He could easily have had my vote but lost it with his speech.

I think Hal surprised a lot of people today. The knock on Hal was that he’s a very nice guy, but maybe the city needed a more dynamic, feistier mayor. I think Andy’s candidacy was in part a result of that sentiment, well Hal took that vunerability right out of the mix, that was not a nice guy up there today
🙂 , and it was a pretty smart strategy on Hal’s part. Some of the criticism was legitimate, e.g. the tax vote, while other criticism e.g. missing council meetings was a little low, after all, besides Parenting responsibilities for a HS student, Andy has been a major player and force on the Council, the success of which Hal was more than willing to claim credit for, even though he doesn’t vote. Nevertheless, that was not the Mayor, Andy Harrover was challenging in his campaign, that was a different guy up there today. I wonder which Hal Parrish will show up for work Monday?

Points of leadership was raised by the Incumbant Mayor today….and when one pontificates such words, it should be remembered they will either come back to haunt, or be the words to hold one’s feet to the fire.

He may have won 2/3rds or so of the vote – but the question should be on his mind about that 1/3 he missed. Where they votes going to Andy H because of individual choice OR did the negative tone of the speech cost him votes?

And for the two returning Councilmen, no time to rest on laurels. May is still there and could be the Sword of Damocles.

Ray,
I’m sure it cost him some votes (Ks&K9s) but Im getting the impression from people there that there were a lot of undecided among the crowd who showed up for Ian and they ended up breaking for the Mayor. The Mayor also had the advantage of going second, no chance of a rebuttal. The attacks stuck in people’s mind and there wasn’t a lot of time to reflect before voting.

Ray,
The actual vote totals were released to the individual candidates. There was agreement between the campaigns that the actuals not be released to the public, and requested such to the committee, in advance of the vote count. The committee will honor this request. If the campaigns choose to release them, that will be their choice.

Hhhmmm, Ray made a point, that I felt was important enough to stick around to the bitter end on Saturday, to impress upon the “winners”

So, as they were packing it up, I cornered Wolfe and Hal, congratulated them, and let them know that their victory meant that they’ll be seeing way more of me, and a lot of disappointed parents, in meetings, in their offices and on the public blogs, media etc.

They fought hard, I didn’t care for the negative tone – it was unnecessary, Andy speech was on point and not personal, and if their positions mean that much, then let’s see ’em WORK for it. I was hoping to fade into obscurity, but Saturday made me realize that, yep, the feet need to get held to the flame, and I suspect it’s going to get mighty hot.

You wonderful people have the political background to understand and respond appropriately – I lack the knowledge, therefor, my only true method of conveying my utter disgust to our Council and School Board is to just lay it on the table. No political savvy… sigh. Gotta appreciate Andy for not trying to lipstick on this pig and pass it off as a pretty little poodle.